Skyrim:Maven Black-Briar

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Maven makes no secret of her ties to the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood, and often says she will call on the Dark Brotherhood to kill anyone who crosses her, in spite of any progress you have made in either of these groups' questlines. These threats are empty though and she will never act on them. However, should you choose to betray the Black-Briars in the quest Promises to Keep, a group of Black-Briar Mercenaries will be sent to kill you.

In the basement of the Black-Briar Manor in Riften is a locked room containing the remains of a Black Sacrament ritual, as well as a letter from Maven Black-Briar complaining that her contract has not been carried out.

If Riften is under control of the Stormcloaks, Maven may greet you by saying, "I presume you're bothering me for a good reason?", "What in the name of Oblivion do you want?" or "I don't have time for idle chit-chat. What is it?" After Riften is under control of the Imperial Legion and Maven becomes jarl, she will have new greetings: "The throne suits me, don't you think?", "My title is just a formality. I've always been in charge around here." and "Jarl Maven Black-Briar. Has a pleasant sound to it, wouldn't you say?"

When exiting conversation, Maven may say either "I believe we're done." or "Out of my way."

During the quest Dampened Spirits, when seeing Maven Black-Briar after Brynjolf tells you to, she will greet you with "About time you showed up." You will be directed to speak to Mallus Maccius. After listening to her orders, she will end with "One more time in case I wasn't clear. You butcher this job and you'll be sorry." Speaking to her will get you an impatient comment from her: "Shouldn't you be on your way to Whiterun?" You may return to Maven after having spoken to Mallus, but she will only ask you, "Why aren't you at Honningbrew Meadery?" Upon returning to Maven after coming back from Honningbrew Meadery, she may greet you by saying: "I trust you have good news for me." You can tell her the plan has succeeded, and she will reward you with a leveled sword. Talking to her after this will have her inform you, "I believe Brynjolf wishes to speak with you. We're done here."

Maven Black-Briar will show up at your installation ceremony as the new master of the Thieves Guild. If you haven't done the ceremony, Maven will tell you, "Not now, you idiot. We'll talk after this ridiculous ceremony." If you are about to talk to Brynjolf or have done so, Maven will also say, "I suppose congratulations are in order. Now don't screw it up."

"Why do you tolerate him, mother? All he contributes to this family is embarrassment and disgrace."

Maven:

"I tolerate your son because he'll do anything I ask, without question. I'd expect the same from my own son."

Hemming:

"I understand, mother. Forgive me."

If she becomes the Jarl of the Rift, she will never go outside Mistveil Keep, rendering the conversations above impossible. Instead, she will converse with other members of the court. Maul is now her housecarl and Hemming her steward.

Hemming:

"There's still the matter of the prisoner to discuss. Now, his family is willing to contribute handsomely if we release him."

Maven:

"The execution will proceed as planned."

Hemming:

"But, mother... this is quite a sizable contribution and the crime doesn't befit such a harsh punishment."

Maven:

"Are you going soft on me, Hemming? Perhaps I made the wrong choice installing you as steward."

Hemming:

"No, mother. The execution will proceed as planned."

Another one of her conversations is about keeping the Stormcloaks at bay:

Maven:

"Hemming, have you dispatched that letter I gave you yesterday?"

Hemming:

"Yes, and I sent it with our fastest courier and under the cover of night, exactly as you specified."

Maven:

"Good. If I need to light a few fires in order to get what we need to defend this place from the Stormcloaks, so be it."

Hemming:

"I'm almost certain he'll reach the Imperial City tomorrow, so we should have an answer by the end of the week."

Maven and Maul will also discuss business, as usual:

Maven:

"Any word about our little problem in the Ratway?"

Maul:

"I've spoken to Brynjolf and he assures me it'll be taken care of."

Maven:

"Next time you speak to him, tell him to clean up his own messes. I'm not about to jeopardize this position for a bunch of low-life thugs."

Maul:

"I'll let him know."

Maul:

"My agents are telling me that we've appropriated the caravan from Hammerfell... with minimal losses."

Maven:

"For what it's costing me, I should be handed the merchandise on a silver platter."

Maul:

"The coin isn't just for the men, there's a lot of people that need to be compensated in order to make this happen."

Maven:

"And a hefty cut for yourself too I'm sure. Just see to it the items are secured and the rest disposed of properly this time."

Additionally, Maven may demand Wylandriah, her court wizard, to hurry on finishing some potions:

Maven:

"Why are the potions I requested not completed?"

Wylandriah:

"I'm sorry, milady. The components for those elixirs are quite volatile and in some cases, very dangerous to handle. I must take care."

Maven:

"Excuses are not acceptable in my court. When I ask for something I expect results, and I expect them immediately."

In a cut part of the Stormcloak questline, there was going to be a siege of Riften in the event that you had lost the city in either a battle or as a result of Season Unending. This siege would play out almost exactly the same way that the Battle for Whiterun does in the main game. Upon reaching the throne room, you would be greeted to this exchange (note that this is the same dialogue that would play between Yngvar and Jarl Thongvor Silver-Blood if you were taking the city of Markarth back for the Empire under the same circumstances):

Maul:

"Halt in the name of the Jarl!"

Maven:

"Somehow I doubt that will persuade them."

Maul:

"Stay back, lord!"

Maven:

"If they want my city, they're going to have to take it from me personally."

Maul:

"Protect the Jarl with your lives!"

Once the ensuing battle had ended, this exchange would play (again, this is the same dialogue that would play if you were taking the city of Markarth back for the Empire under the same circumstances):

"If you two are finished with the touching homecoming, there's a city in chaos out there."

Laila:

"Indeed. Come, there is much to be done."

If you were taking Riften for the Empire however, the battle would conclude with this exchange between Laila, Maven, and Legate Rikke, however, Rikke's lines are incorrectly attributed to and voiced by Galmar.

Maven:

"I think I'll like living here."

Laila:

"So enters Maven Black-Briar, the glint of Imperial coin in her eyes. So tell me, what's the price for a woman's integrity these days?"

Maven:

"You never were able to see the forest for the trees, were you?"

Laila:

"We Nords were proud warriors once. And we still could be. Evidenced by the men and women who fought and died bravely today. You could see that if you had any faith left in that black heart of yours. But no, you're content to snatch scraps falling off the Emperor's table. Fine. Take my home. Take my city. May it burn down around you."

Maven:

"A bit melodramatic, even for you Laila. Pack your things and go."

Laila:

"One day when you can see past your own interests, you will come to see that we were right. And this... This is all wrong."

Rikke:

"If you ladies are finished bickering, there's much to be done. Jarl Black-Briar put your government together. Do it now, or there will be rioting in the streets. We must move quickly to prevent further violence."

Maven:

"Jarl Black-Briar. I must admit, I do like the sound of that. And don't worry about any rioting, Legate. I have it under control. We will soon begin publicly executing captured men. That should send a clear message to the people."

Unlike other jarls, Maven will not be exiled to Blue Palace if the Stormcloaks retake Riften and Laila Law-Giver becomes the jarl again. However, after Riften is liberated, Maven can be found walking away from Solitude.